Relative Potency of Inhaled Corticosteroids

Inclusion Criteria: * Sputum eosinophilia \>3% * Adults age 18-70 years * History of episodic wheeze, chest tightness, dyspnea or cough within the last 12 months. * FEV1 ≥ 60% predicted * Steroid naive or on not more than 500 µg a day of beclomethasone or equivalent. * Able to give written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Recent asthma or COPD exacerbation (as judged by the clinician) due to respiratory infection within the last month 2. Relevant seasonal allergen exposure within 4 weeks or within the course of the study 3. Treatment with prednisone or antibiotics or hospitalisation within the past 6 weeks 4. Other respiratory diseases 5. Women who are pregnant or unwilling to use appropriate contraception during the study 6. Unable to withhold short-acting ß-agonist treatment for 6 hours before visit